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Summer Loving: Intentional Ideas for Marriage and Family

Summer has come and the change of schedule seeks to enliven us and wear us down all at the same time.When will these kids go to bed?How can we meet everyone's expectations for the summer?Just how many toys can be out at one time around the house?

To seek to do more than survive the summer we're doing a few things, attempting to thrive, as a family and as a couple.1) We've made a bucket list of the things we would like to accomplish/ experience as a family and have begun to prioritize which we can do and schedule them (everyone was open to brainstorm all options).

2) Hannah and I looked at various date night options that we'd love to experience together (including free public lectures, dancing in the park, concerts, museums, movie nights- outdoor and indoor, houseparties, etc), chose a bunch of them and emailed the dates out to our group of our friends/ babysitters.

3) We've also taken the opportunity of a little more relaxed schedule to book a few sessions with our marriage counsellor for a tuneup.

4) We have also intentionally planned to stick around a lot of the summer for a staycation and have down time.As John Gottman says, sometimes `it is the small things done often that make the most difference in a relationship.`Making a little extra time and space for each other - living life to the full, without over-scheduling. Hopefully we`ll end up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, much more connected as a family and as a couple.We`ll let you know.

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The Hamm Family

Bio

Randy and Hannah have been married since 1996 and have three amazing kids. After 19 years in Vancouver, they love their new home in Vernon, BC. They enjoy traveling, gardening, skiing, great stories and living life to the full.

As a family, they've survived road trips to NYC, California, and PEI, as well as a trip to China to work with disabled children. They know the importance of commitment and the hard work it takes to stay happily married in the midst of daily pressures.

Randy has been working with premarital and married couples for over 15 years. He is accredited with Enrich Canada as a facilitator and is ordained.

He has experience working with all types of couples in marriage preparation and marriage enrichment (i.e. cross cultural, second marriages, inter-faith, cohabitating).